Ye Olde Ale House

Alright, I don't know how to feel about this weeks review. One day I was driving by the Ye Olde Ale House, 5002 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. On its sign, the Ale House claimed to be "family friendly." Having been to the Ale House on occasion for drinks and knowing its reputation, I thought there was no way. So, I thought I would go there with the family and prove that it is not family friendly. However, having now been there, I don't think I can say that.

I arrived early before my family and sat at the bar for a beer. I grabbed a menu and found that it had a children's menu. I also found a flyer which described a family night every Wednesday during which kids eat for a dollar. I spoke to bartender and she said that kids love the place and, in fact, some kids ask to have their birthday party at the Ale House. I also noticed a number of high chairs and boosters. So, it had all the trappings of a family friendly restaurant.

If you have never been, the Ale House is a non-descript building with beer signs in the window and a large deck in the back. The interior of the Ale House is large and open but without much personality. About a fourth of the building is a bar area. The remaining part is a large open dining room with tables spread throughout. There is a small area with pool tables.

The menu is fine with a range of normal appetizers, sandwiches and entrees including steak, chicken and sea food. I started with the Chicken and Corn soap which was very good. We just ate appetizers and the popcorn shrimp and cheese sticks were good.

The "Little Ranch Hand Menu" had Chicken Tenders, Chicken Breast, Spaghetti, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese, Hamburgers and Pita Pizza each for around $4 to $5. Each children's item came with a choice of apple sauce or fries, a beverage and an oreo cookie. Not too bad.

We were the only family there and, at around 6:00 or 6:30, the pool area got very full with what appeared to be a league of some sort. The dinning room does not have televisions and the music is a juke box. The whole restaurant is a bit smoky although they do have what look like large filtering machines hanging from the ceiling throughout the restaurant. The deck looks very nice and may be one of the few places to eat outside in that immediate area. The service was okay but the tables were so spread out around the large dining room that you did have to wait on occasion.

I don't know what to think about the Ale House. It is significantly more family friendly than I thought and I get the impression they are trying to increase its recognition as a family restaurant. It is very drab, a little boring and "bary." It is smoky smelling but not overwhelming. I think you would definitely want to go on the off times but, overall, I am glad we gave it a try and we will definitely go back - particularly to enjoy the deck.

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